Newage gears up for US sales drive

Newage Transmissions is shifting its overseas sales into top gear through the company's participation at the New Orleans Workboat Show.

Coventry-based Newage Transmissions is shifting its overseas sales into top gear through the company's participation at the forthcoming New Orleans Workboat Show, which takes place between 6-8 December.

The mechanical driveline equipment specialist will be highlighting examples of its PRM 120, PRM 500 and PRM 1500 high efficiency marine transmissions at the event; one of the most important on the US marine industry's calendar.

The exhibition is also the latest in a series of trade shows attended by Newage in support of its recently-extended North American distributor network.

"With consistent, high volume demand from the US fishing and workboat sectors, as well as rapid expansion of the country's pleasure craft market, we believe North America offers major potential for us," says Newage's Sales and Marketing Director, Miles Johnson.

"This has been borne out by the high level of interest we have seen in our products at two recent marine equipment exhibitions in Fort Lauderdale and Seattle." "PRM marine transmissions are already specified for the vast majority of the UK's inland waterways craft," he adds.

"Their reputation for durability, reliability and performance - now backed by local support - means we are in an extremely strong position to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the New Orleans Show." Developed as a rugged, yet compact and lightweight unit, the PRM 120 is rated at a maximum input power of 50 kW and input speed of 5000 rev/min.

It has been designed for use with standard rotation engines and is available with 2.04:1, 2.50:1or 2.94:1 forward reduction ratios, with a common 2.50:1 reverse.

Mechanical drive for both ahead and astern is transmitted by cone clutches, which require no adjustment in service, and gear selection is by lever with positive detent positions for ahead, neutral, and astern.

The unit is also suitable for use with proprietary single lever, dual action control systems, such as MORSE MT3 or SL3, which operate the engine throttle in conjunction with the gear lever.

In use, the PRM 120's output shaft can be rotated continuously with the gearbox in neutral, eliminating the need for a propshaft brake when running with the engine shut down.

Weighing just 16 kg (35 lb), the transmission features a heavy duty aluminium gearcase for increased rigidity and heat dissipation.

It can also be supplied with SAE 5 or Borg Warner 'Velvet Drive' gearbox / engine adapters.

Designed for both pleasure craft and commercial boat use, the PRM 500 is rated at a maximum input power of 213kW (287 hp) and offered with four ratios between 1.459: and 2.904:1.

The unit's twin countershaft design is suitable for both left or right hand propeller rotations, making it ideal for twin engine installations.

Operation is by adjustment-free, oil-operated multi-disc clutches, whose pump and control valves are externally mounted for easy accessibility.

The hydraulic system uses normal engine oil - avoiding the need for automatic transmission fluid - and provides rapid response to movements of the operating lever for excellent boat handling characteristics.

Weighing 68 kg (150 lb), PRM 500 gearboxes are also available with an optional trolling valve and direct drive power take-off suitable for hydraulic pumps to SAE J744C type B specification.

Offered in both shallow and deep case versions, the PRM1500 marine gearbox is a twin countershaft design compatible with left or right hand propeller rotations - for both single and twin engine installations.

Units are available with a choice of ten reduction gear ratios between 1.22:1 and 5.0:1.

Carrying a Lloyd's-approved published continuous rating, PRM1500 gearboxes allow a maximum input torque of 1500 Nm to be transmitted in either direction at a maximum input speed of 2500 rev/min - making them ideally suited to a wide range of workboat applications.

All PRM 1500 units are supplied with integral SAE housings as standard and incorporate maintenance-free, oil-operated multi-disc clutches, which are engaged by a single lever compatible with proprietary remote control operating systems.

Two optional clutched power take-offs - to accommodate SAE classification hydraulic pumps - are available to drive on-board machinery.

Further optional equipment for this new model includes an electrically operated control valve; incorporating a trolling valve facility that allows variable propeller speeds from 1200 rev/min down to zero.

This item is fully inter-changeable with the standard control valve and can be retrofitted in service.

Back to top